§ Colonel CLIFTON BROWNasked the hon. and gallant Member for Barkston Ash, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, how many men are now directly employed at Kielder by the Commission; and of these how many come from distressed areas and how many belong to the North Tyne Valley?
§ Colonel ROPNERNinety-one persons 'are now directly employed at Kielder by the Forestry Commission. A census has not been made of the origin of all the workers, but it is known that 23 are ex-miners from a local colliery which is now closed down and two come from the statutory Special Areas. The remainder appear to be local workers who require regular employment.
§ Colonel CLIFTON BROWNasked the hon. and gallant Member for Barkston Ash, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, what is the cost of their cottages at Kielder for the bungalow type and for the box-shaped type, respectively?
§ Colonel ROPNERThe cost of the Forestry Commission cottages at Kielder is as follows: single bungalow type, £527, double bungalow type, £513, and two-storey type, £459.
§ Colonel CLIFTON BROWNasked the hon. and gallant Member for Barkston Ash, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, at what rents is it proposed to let the new cottages at Kielder of the bungalow type and of the box-shaped type, respectively?
§ Colonel ROPNERNo rents have yet been fixed for the new cottages at Kielder but, following the normal procedure, the rent will probably be in the neighbourhood of £10 per annum.
1537W
§ Colonel CLIFTON BROWNasked the hon. and gallant Member for Barkston Ash, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, at what average rent per acre it is proposed to let the forest holdings at Kielder?
§ Colonel ROPNERNo rents have been fixed for the land to be attached to the new holdings at Kielder. It will depend in each case on the type of land. Probably an average figure will be 10s. per acre.